SFF rejects MEPs’ Brexit demands

Responding to the demand by the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament for continued full access to UK waters for EU boats after Brexit, Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, said:

“The fish in our waters are our natural resource, and the industry, Scottish Government and UK Government will not allow them to be bargained away.

“This is like asking the vineyards of France, Spain and Italy to give away 60 per cent of their grape harvest, free, to anyone who wants to come and take it away to make wine.

“As a Coastal State, we intend to restore control of our natural seafood resource and under international law foreign-flagged vessels will be prohibited from fishing in our waters without our approval.

“Negotiations on access that would prove beneficial to this country can take place after Brexit, when the new management regime is in place.